It's a wonderful place. I was recently visiting London (where I grew up), and in not the best mental health, and I pulled over the car by the Heath and went exploring. It did wonders for my soul.
Used to live a 15 minute walk away with my (now) wife and we would spend every Saturday walking through different routes ending up at The Stag (great pub). Such a wonderful place, really felt like the countryside yet in the city… fond memories.
One of the best things about living in London. If you visit, take a walk there and then end up in one of the many brilliant pubs nearby - The Holly Bush, Wells, Spainard’s Inn, Magdala, Garden Gate, or sit in Keats’ house’s garden.
Every Easter my kids school would have "Easter egg" hunt on the Heath. The "eggs" were chocolates hidden in the bushes and children would compete on who found the most.
> Players of Hampstead begin the game in a filthy council flat wearing only their underwear, but must rise from these humble beginnings to woo “Pippa, a beautiful model” and win a high-paid job in the City with which they can buy cars and a house on Hampstead Heath.
It still kinda is, a lot of people that know about the park don't know about the Pergola since it's not in the biggest part that has the popular view of London.
Parliament Hill has great views of the city - probably the most elevated viewpoint in North London. Went there yesterday - gets super quiet after 10pm unlike Primrose.
And plenty of other places not listed there, e.g. the old orchard, the hollow tree, 4 of London's 13 protected views[0], 2 old ice houses, the old duelling ground, etc.
Hampstead Heath, one of the premier cruising destinations in London. Where else you you go for a stroll and see a pair of naked buttocks sticking out of a bush?
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[ 3.7 ms ] story [ 74.8 ms ] threadAlso probably of interest to the HN crowd: in years past I set up a philosophy meetup on the heath that is still going strong (thanks Sam!) - https://www.meetup.com/london-philosophy-walks/events/290653...
> Players of Hampstead begin the game in a filthy council flat wearing only their underwear, but must rise from these humble beginnings to woo “Pippa, a beautiful model” and win a high-paid job in the City with which they can buy cars and a house on Hampstead Heath.
https://www.independent.co.uk/games/hampstead-the-social-cli...
There goes the hidden gem!
I never thought of it as hidden gem, maybe it still is.
"The Pergola is one of the hidden delights of Hampstead Heath."
https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-to-do/green-spaces/ha...
Are you a real socialist as opposed to champagne socialist? Could you explain the different?
Worth exploring hampsteadheath.net for other places of interest to try to find on Hampstead Heath, e.g. https://www.hampsteadheath.net/landmarks and https://www.hampsteadheath.net/ghost .
And plenty of other places not listed there, e.g. the old orchard, the hollow tree, 4 of London's 13 protected views[0], 2 old ice houses, the old duelling ground, etc.
[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protected_view
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2020/mar/05/invisible-city-...